Nuts and locknuts helicoidally coupled in one single unit for tightening at a controlled torsion

ABSTRACT

Improvements on nuts and lock nuts characterized by their being coupled in one single unit and comprising three separate pieces, namely: an upper nut portion properly said, and a lower lock nut portion, both having protuberances with upper helicoidal faces in the same direction, discontinued, at a different level and in an inverted direction to the threading of said nut and lock nut and a tempered steel hexagonal spring which allows a perfect coupling at a determinate controlled torsion among the three pieces.

United States Patent 1191 Gonzalez NUTS AND LOCKNUTS HELICOIDALLY COUPLED IN ONE SINGLE UNIT FOR TIGIITENING AT A CONTROLLED TORSION [76] Inventor: Cesar Fernandez Veraud Gonzalez,

Av. Unidad Modelo No. 10, Colonia Unidad Modelo, Mexico 22 Filed: Mar. 7, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 338,918

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data u g M 11 15122 1 972 Mexico 135932 [52] US. Cl. 151/15 [51] Int. Cl. F161) 31/02 [58] Field 01 Search 85/32 UN; 151/15, 16, 18,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 705,743 7/1902 Dunham 151/15 726,740 4/1903 ONeil 151/15 998,905 7/1911 Jaques 151/15 Feb. 25, 1975 1,423,480 7/1922 Gumber 85/32 UN 1,432,050 10/1922 3,664,226 5/1972 Gonzales 151/15 Primary Examiner-Marion Parsons, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy and Neimark [57] ABSTRACT lmprovements on nuts and lock nuts characterized by their being coupled in one single unit and comprising three separate pieces, namely: an upper nut portion properly said, and a lower lock nut portion, both having protuberances with upper helicoidal faces in the same direction, discontinued, at a different level and in an inverted direction to the threading of said nut and lock nut and a tempered steel hexagonal spring which allows a perfect coupling at a determinate controlled torsion among the three pieces.

4 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures NUTS AND LOCKNUTS HELICOIDALLY COUPLED IN ONE SINGLE UNIT FOR TIGIITENING AT A CONTROLLED TORSION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention is related to that industry which is dedicated to the manufacture of metallic pieces such as nuts, screws and the like. More specifically, it relates to the industry which is engaged in the joining and coupling of pieces that require a controlled adjustment and are sufficiently firm to resist vibration without loosening.

2. Description of the Prior Art Up to date, nuts of various styles, peculiar shapes and characteristics have been used in order to attain a tight coupling of the various pieces of machinery, common motors or high compression motors and any other type of pieces which are subject to constant trepidation or vibration.

Customarily, trepidation or vibration undergone by a nut coupling various threaded stems provokes a maladjustment which causes a loosening or slipping of same, thus creating grave problems in the use of related mechanisms of machinery. Several procedures have been introduced by experts in the field, the following being the most commonly used procedures to date.

The use of discs or washers has been suggested to separate the nut from the holding piece or the simple placement of double nuts.

It is also customary to make a passing groove in a longitudinal direction of the screw, so that it is somewhat prolonged through the part of the stem which the nut will occupy, and after the nut is well tightened, to place a bolt in the groove as a tight wedge which prevents any movement of the nut. This system, however, has the inconvenience of weakening the core of the screw which can break, and furthermore if the nut moves ahead in a way that it uncovers the entire groove, the bolt does not exercise any pressure upon it; and, on the other hand, the bolt can easily be lost.

Another procedure that has been conceived is the use of double nuts threaded in an inverted direction, for which the end of the screw must also be threaded in opposite direction so that each nut can be lodged in its corresponding part of the screw; however, to make this possible, it is necessary that the part of the stem nearest to the extreme have an outer diameter equal to the core of the upper part, somewhat diminished, so that the first nut can easily cross through the part of the screw that the second nut must cover; in this manner, of course, when the largest nut loosens it will tend to tighten the lower nut. In order to increase the firm staying of both nuts, a groove that adjusts on a rib which has the same shape is provided so that when such nuts are tightly fitted they are joined by these Couplings in the limits of their adjustment.

This type of solution presents the inconvenience that the torsion at which the nuts are tightened is always the maximum of the capacity or strength of the operator, or of the automatic tightening machines, not permitting the desired characteristic of determining, controlling or adjusting the torsion to which the nut and lock nut are subjected.

As reflected in US. Pat. No. 3,664,226, issued to the present inventor, the inventor offers a solution to these problems by introducing a nut and lock nut provided with protuberances in one single unit measuring fivetwelfths of the corresponding non-helicoidal hexagonal polygon face. In the present invention the tightening at a controlled torsion as offered in the above mentioned patent, is considerably improved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is then the main purpose of the present invention to provide a nut and a lock nut in a single unit which will allow tightening at a determinate torsion consequently preventing the excess or lack of adjustment and slackening caused by vibrations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a nut and a lock nut having a tempered steel hexagonal spring that loosens at a controlled torsion indicating the required degree of adjustment of the lock nut and recuperating its original form when torsion disappears, thus avoiding eventual slipping of the unit.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a spring joining the nut and locknut into one single unit due to inner protuberances provided in each one of its six edges, all of which adjust along with the outer face groovings with protuberances projecting from the nut and lock nut.

One additional object of this invention is that of producing a nut and lock nut, both having two protuberances, always located parallel to eah other, which can have two different positions: one with the outer face of the protuberance located flatly, the other with the outer face of the protuberance forming a 60 angle by half of its facee, each measuring one-sixth of the hexagonal polygon face of the nut or lock nut and providing both, these protuberances in their upper face or surface, as well as the remainder of the face or surface of the nut and lock nut, a helicoidal shape in the same direction, discontinued, at a different level and at an inverted direction from the threading of the nut and lock nut. t 7

These and other objects of this invention shall be evident to all experts in the field after examining the attached specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional perspective of the nut described in this invention in its preferred form, that is, showing the two protuberances, one complete corresponding to the lefthand side, and a portion of the other, corresponding to the righthand side, each one measuring one-sixth of the hexagonal polygon face of the nut, positioned in the lower portion thereof parallel to each other. Please note in the complete protuberance its outer flat face and groovings, both having a greater deepness in the ends thereof.

FIG. 2 shows a lateral view of the nut, more clearly showing the two protuberances located laterally to each other, both showing the groovings with which they are provided.

FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional perspective of the lock nut wherein the discontinued helicoidal shape is shown at a different level of the faces, both with respect to the upper portion or platform of the protuberances, as well as in the remainder of the lock nut.

FIG. 4 shows a lateral view and conventional perspective of the lock nut; showing also the helicoidal shape of its various sections, as described in the above FIGURE.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conventional perspective of the spring also showing the inner skeg, as well as the three outer skegs.

FIG. 6 illustrates an upper plan of the spring showing tthe upper outer skeg, the intermediate inner skeg and the intermediate outer skeg, all three located on two of the edges of one of the hexagonal polygon faces.

FIG. 7 illustrates an upper plan of the lock nut showing the application of the spring.

FIG. 8 illustrates a lateral view of the entire unit, at the same time showing the nut, the lock nut and the spring.

FIG. 9 illustrates in a conventional perspective a second embodiment of the nut, wherein the outer face of the protuberances forms a 60 angle by its half, and the groove on this face has a greater deepness in the edge located at its half.

FIG. 10 illustrates in a conventional perspective a second embodiment of the lock nut corresponding to the nut of FIG. 9, showing the two protuberances in a more evident manner, located parallel to each other; also showing clearly the helicoidal shape of the faces or upper surface areas of the protuberances as well as the remainder of the lock nut.

FIG. ll illustrates a lateral view of the second embodiment of the lock nut showing the grooving of one of the protuberances, also showing the helicoidal shape of the upper portion thereof and a partial view of of the remainder of the lock nut.

FIG. 12 illustrates 'a lateral view of the second embodiment of the nut, showing its two protuberances and the threading on the inner portion of one of them.

FIG. 13 shows a conventional perspective of the spring used with the second embodiment of the nut and lock nut showing the skegs used for its manual operatron.

FIG. 14 illustrates an upper plan of the spring of FIG. 13 showing the safety inner skeg and two of the outer skegs; also shown is that the skegs located at half of the two faces of the hexagonal polygon thereof.

FIG. 15 illustrates an upper plan of the second embodiment of lock nut and application of the spring.

FIG. 16 shows a lateral view of the entire unit of the second embodiment also showing the ccoupling among the corresponding elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Proceeding to a more accurate description of the present invention and especially with regard to FIG. 1, l7 illustrates the lateral faces of the nut finished in its upper portion by a hexagonal polygon of polished edges 17', while the two protuberances l8 and 19 located in its lower portion always parallel to each other, may adopt two different positions: one being with the outer face flat as shown in FIG. 1, the other when such outer face as shown in FIG. 9 forms a 60 angle by half of its face, each protuberance measuring one-sixth of the hexagonal polygon surface. The upper surface or face 25 or platform of the two protuberances 18 and 19 of the nut, as well as the face or surface 25, corresponding to the remainder of the nut, have a helicoidal shape in the same direction, although discontinued, at a different level, in an inverted direction to the threading 21 of the nut 20. The helix angle of the helicoidal discontinued shape at a different level from the upper face of the protuberances 25 and the remainder of the nut 25', and the corresponding surfaces 25 and 25' of the lock nut 24, may be either increased or diminished depending upon the need of a greater or lesser torsion in the tightening thereof. Number 23 in FIG. 2 illustrates the threading profile of the protuberances 19 in the nut, located in an inverted direction to the inclinataion of the helicoidal surfaces 25 25 FIG. 2 clearly illustrates the threading 23 of the protuberances I8 and 19 of the nut. The groovings 22 of these protuberances are also shown.

With regard to FIG. 3, this shows the lock nut 24 at the same time illustrating the helicoidal shape of the upper surface or face or platform 25 corresponding to thetwo protuberances of same and the remainder of the surface 25' of lock nut 24, located at different. levels, each of the protuberances measuring one-sixth of the hexagonal polygon surface of the lock nut 24. Illustrated therein are the corresponding groovings 26, while the threadings 27 of the lock nut are shown in an inverted direction to the helicoidal shape of the upper face 25 or platform of the above mentioned protuberances, also showing the similarly invertedly inclined surface or face 25 corresponding to the remainder of the nut. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the protuberances 18, 19 on nut 20 and 42, 43 on lock nut 24 are substantially identical. Protuberance 19 has a long transverse face 41 and a short transverse face 47 (not seen in the pictorial view of FIG. 2). Protuberance 18 has a long transverse face 46 (not seen in the pictorial view of FIG. 2) and a short transverse face 45.

Protuberance 42 of lock nut 24 has a long transverse face 40 and a short transverse face 48. Protuberance 43 of lock nut 24 has long and short transverse faces respectively 49, 51, (not shown in the pictorial view of FIG. 3).

On both the nut 20 and lock nut 24 it can be seen that the corresponding long transverse faces, respectively 41, 46 and 40, 49 are diagonally opposite each other.

Referring now also to FIG. 4, it can be seen that when the nut 20 and lock nut 24 are mated with each other to form locking nut 60 (FIG. 8) to be threaded onto a bolt (not shown) the corresponding long transverse faces 41, 46 on nut 20 and 40, 49 on lock nut 24 about each other. Also sine the protuberances 18, 19, 42, 43 are substantially identical and the helicoidal surfaces 25,, 25',, 25 25';, have identical angles of inclination, the nut 20 and lock nut 24 substantially identically mate with surfaces 25 abutting surfaces 25 and surfaces 25 abutting 25', as well as the corresponding long transverse faces 46 on nut 20 and 40 on lock nut 24, and 41 on nut 20 and 49 on lock nut 24 abutting.

In this manner when the base (not shown) of lock nut 24 engags the surface (not shown) which the locking nut 60 is to be tightened against the engagement of the helicoidal surfaces causes a wedging effect which allows more torque to be applied to nut 20, thus creating the locking effect of the locking nut 60, without further relative displacement between lock nut 24 and nut 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates a lateral view of three-sixths of the lateral face corresponding to the hexagonal polygon of the lock nut and groovings 26, as well as the helicoidal shape of the upper portion 25 or platform of the protuberances corresponding to the lock nut 24. The helicoidal shape 25' of the remainder of the face thereof is also illustrated.

The hexagonal spring 28 FIG. 5, joins the lock nut and the nut together in one single unit by means of the protuberances 29 corresponding to each one of its six edges, all of which adjust with groovings 22 and 26 on the protuberances of the nut and lock nut 24.. Spring 28 controls the tightening torsion of the lock nut, depending upon the desired thickness and tightness thereof. When tightening the nut, the lock nut is also tightened by the spring action, while on the other hand, when the nut expands and loosens, the lock nut is thereby tightened at a determinate torsion.

When lock nut 24 engages a surface or washer further application of torque to nut 20 causes the corresponding helicoidal surfaces 25 of the protuberances l8, 19, 42, 43 and the remainder of the faces 25", 25' of nut 20 and lock nut 24 to bind one another due to the helicoidal nature of the surfaces 25 25',, and 25 25 Once the nut is tight to the lock nut at a determinate and controlled torsion by the helicoidal discontinued shape angle of the upper face or surface 25 corresponding to the protuberances and to the re mainder of the surface 25 of the nut and lock nut, the spring clamps the nut to the lock nut avoiding slipping or loosening of the nut through trepidation or vibration.

Spring 28 also consists of four skegs or projecting portions prolonging the ends 50 and projecting piece Slthereof; three project in their outer face 30, 31 and 32. Two correspond to prolongation of one end and 32, while the intermediate skeg is a prolongation of the other end 31 running uninterruptedly into the inner portion of the spring and forming a fourth skeg 33.

As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, spring 28 can be fabricated from a single piece with ends 50 at one end thereof and projecting piece 51 at the other end thereof. Skegs 30, 32 are formed by bending ends 50 and skegs 31, 33 are formed by by a double bend of projecting piece 51.

The three outer face skegs 30, 31 and 32 exert action to voluntarily expand the spring 28, when found necessary, through the means of common clamps. Theinner skeg 33 permits the spring, after expanding when tightening the nut, to lock again and return to its original position.

FIG. 6 illustrates an upper plan of the spring 28 showing its inner protuberances 29 which mate with the grooves 22 in the nut20 and 26 in the lock nut 24 prevent vibrational loosening of the engagement between nut 20 and lock nut 24. Also shown therein are the outer upper skeg 32, the intermediate inner skeg 33, and the lower outer skeg 30.

FIG. 7 illustrates an upper plan of the lock nut 24 and the application of the spring 28, also showing the upper outer skeg 32, the intermediate outer skeg 31, and the intermediate inner skeg 33 of the spring 28. By referring back to the discussion of FIGS. 2-4 it can be seen that inner skeg 33 is positioned to abut the short transverse face 47 of nut 20 when nut 20 is placed on lock nut 24 such that long transverse face 41 of nut 20 abuts long transverse face of lock nut 24 as discussed above.

FIG. 8 illustrates three-sixths corresponding to the hexagonal polygon surface of the nut 17 and the lock nut 24, the groovings 29 or inner protuberances of the spring edges 28 and the outer skegs of same 30, 31 and 32.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-16. This embodiment is identical in construction and operation to that of FIGS. 1-8 with the exception that the protuberances 18, 19, 42 and 43 are positioned with their midpoints at opposite angles of the polygonal shapes of respectively the nut 20 and lock nut 24. Spring 28 is also correspondingly constructed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a two-sixths surface area of the hexagonal polygon of the nut 17, in its other characteristic, wherein protuberances l8 and 19 in their outer face form a 60 angle by its half, the threadings 23 shown on the opposite portion of the groovings 22, indicating the number 21 of the inner threadingsof the nut.

FIG. 10 illustrates the lock nut 24, in only two of its lateral faces showing the threading orifice 34, the helicoidal portion of the platform 25 corresonding to the protuberances and the groovings 26.

FIG. 11 illustrates two-sixths of the lateral face corresponding to the hexagonal polygon of the lock nut 24, as well as its two protuberances, one complete and the other partially shown 25 with its corresponding grooving 26.

FIG. 12 illustrates a lateral view of the nut 17, showing only two-sixths of its lateral face wherein the protuberances l8 and 19 are located, both innerly threaded 23 and showing groovings on their opposite face 22. FIG. 13 illustrates a conventional perspective of the spring 28 also showing its lower outer skeg 30, the intermediate outer skeg 31, and the upper outer skeg 32. These three skegs exert action to expand the spring at will when found necessary, through the means of common clamps. The intermediate inner skeg 33 permits the spring 28 after expanding through the tightening-of the nut, to lock again and return to its original position. Also shown are outer groovings or inner protuberances 29 of the spring 28 which mate with the grooves 22 in the nut and 26 in the lock nut to prevent vibrational loosening of the engagement between nut 20and lock nut 24.

FIG. 14 illustrates an upper plan of the spring 28, also showing the upper outer skeg 32, the intermediate inner skeg 33, and the intermediate outer skeg 31.

FIG. 15 illustrates an upper view of the spring 28, and lock nut 17, with skegs 31, 32 and 33 of the spring by 7 half of the two-sixths of the hexagonal polygon face.

FIG. 16 illustrates a lateral view of the entire unit, also showing the nut 17, the lock nut 24 and the spring 28, perfectly coupled and forming one single unit. The hexagonal polygon lateral faces of the nut are also shown, as well as the outer groovings or inner protuberances 29 forming laterally on the spring 28. Also shown are outer skegs 30, 31 and 32 of the spring.

It must be understood that the materials, dimensions and basic forms as used herein to describe the present invention are disclosed merely on an illustrative basis, independently from any other modifications that experts in the Art may introduce, provided they do not change the essential principles thereof, as contained in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An improved locking nut forming a single unit to exercise a determinate and controlled torque including:

a torque nut having an internal bore, top and bottom surfaces and an even number of polygonal faces of substantially equal width;

said torque nut containing first and second protuberances extending from said bottom surface of said torque nut and spaced opposite each other, each of said first and second protuberances having a width substantially no greater than the width of said faces of said torque nut;

said protuberances of said torque nut each having a bottom surface;

said torque nut having an internal threaded surface along said internal bore of said torque nut and the interior of said protuberances of said torque nut;

said bottom surfaces of said torque nut and said protuberances of said torque nut being helicoidal and inclined to the same degree, and being inclined oppositely to the inclination of said threaded surface;

a lock nut having an internal bore, top and bottom surfaces and having the same number of polygonal faces of substantially equal width as said torque nut;

said lock nut containing first and second protuberances extending from said top surface of said lock nut and spaced opposite each other, each of said first and second protuberances of said lock nut having a width substantially no greater than the width of said faces of said lock nut;

said protuberances of said lock nut each having a top surface;

said lock nut having an internal threaded surface along said internal bore of said lock nut and the interior of said protuberances of said lock nut;

said top surfaces of said lock nut and said protuberances of said lock nut being helicoidal with the same degree of inclination as the degree of inclination of the bottom surfaces of said torque nut and its protuberances, and said top surface of said lock nut and its protuberances being inclined oppositely to the inclination of said threaded surface;

said bottom surfaces of said protuberances of said torque nut engaging said top surface of said lock nut and said top surfaces of said protuberances of said lock nut engaging said bottom surface of said torque nut when said torque nut and said lock nut are joined;

said first and second protuberances of said torque nut and said lock nut having grooves outer surfaces; and

spring means, comprising a band with said even number of polygonal sides of equal width and including inner protuberances which engage said grooved outer surfaces, for preventing slipping of the engagement between said torque nut and said lock nut.

2. An improved locking nut of claim 1 wherein said protuberances extend from substantially the entire width of opposite ones of said polygonal faces of said torque nut and substantially the entire width of opposite ones of said polygonal faces of said lock nut.

3. An improved locking nut of claim 1 wherein said protuberances have a mid-point extending from opposite polygonal angles of said torque nut and from opposite polygonal angles of said lock nut.

4. An improved locking nut of claim I wherein said spring means further includes first and second ends projecting from one end of said spring and a piece projecting from the other end of said spring;

said piece being spaced intermediate said first and second ends to form one of said polygonal sides of said spring;

said first and second ends each including an outwardly protruding skeg; and

said piece including an outwardly protruding skeg folder over itself to also form an inwardly protruding skeg. 

1. An improved locking nut forming a single unit to exercise a determinate and controlled torque including: a torque nut having an internal bore, top and bottom surfaces and an even number of polygonal faces of substantially equal width; said torque nut containing first and second protuberances extending from said bottom surface of said torque nut and spaced opposite each other, each of said first and second protuberances having a width substantially no greater than the width of said faces of said torque nut; said protuberances of said torque nut each having a bottom surface; said torque nut having an internal threaded surface along said internal bore of said torque nut and the interior of said protuberances of said torque nut; said bottom surfaces of said torque nut and said protuberances of said torque nut being helicoidal and inclined to the same degree, and being inclined oppositely to the inclination of said threaded surface; a lock nut having an internal bore, top and bottom surfaces and having the same number of polygonal faces of substantially equal width as said torque nut; said lock nut containing first and second protuberances extending from said top surface of said lock nut and spaced opposite each other, each of said first and second protuberances of said lock nut having a width substantially no greater than the width of said faces of said lock nut; said protuberances of said lock nut each having a top surface; said lock nut having an internal threaded surface along said internal bore of said lock nut and the interior of said protuberances of said lock nut; said top surfaces of said lock nut and said protuberances of said lock nut being helicoidal with the same degree of inclination as the degree of inclination of the bottom surfaces of said torque nut and its protuberances, and said top surface of said lock nut and its protuberances being inclined oppositely to the inclination of said threaded surface; said bottom surfaces of said protuberances of said torque nut engaging said top surface of said lock nut and said top surfaces of said protuberances of said lock nut engaging said bottom surface of said torque nut when said torque nut and said lock nut are joined; said first and second protuberances of said torque nut and said lock nut having grooves outer surfaces; and spring means, comprising a band with said even number of polygonal sides of equal width and including inner protuberances which engage said grooved outer surfaces, for preventing slipping of the engagement between said torque nut and said lock nut.
 2. An improved locking nut of claim 1 wherein said protuberances extend from substantially the entire width of opposite ones of said polygonal faces of said torque nut and substantially the entire width of opposite ones of said polygonal faces of said lock nut.
 3. An improved locking nut of claim 1 wherEin said protuberances have a mid-point extending from opposite polygonal angles of said torque nut and from opposite polygonal angles of said lock nut.
 4. An improved locking nut of claim 1 wherein said spring means further includes first and second ends projecting from one end of said spring and a piece projecting from the other end of said spring; said piece being spaced intermediate said first and second ends to form one of said polygonal sides of said spring; said first and second ends each including an outwardly protruding skeg; and said piece including an outwardly protruding skeg folder over itself to also form an inwardly protruding skeg. 